There is strong evidence to suggest that there are many potential health benefits from being active. Adults who are physically active have 20 to 30 per cent reduced mortality risk compared to those who are inactive. Current recommendations are that adults should participate in 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on at least 5 days per week. In 1998, 37 per cent of men and 25 per cent of women met this recommendation.

Since 1994, there has been a small increase in the proportion of women meeting recommended activity levels (from 22 per cent to 25 per cent), but there has been no change among men, although trends need to be interpreted with caution due to changes in definitions. It is recommended that all young people should participate in physical activity of at least moderate intensity for one hour per day. In 1997, 61 per cent of boys and 42 per cent of girls aged 7 to 18 were active at this level in the UK”

Editor's comments - [ Prior to Spending Review 2002, Derek Wanless was asked to examine future health trends and to identify the factors determining the long-term financial and resource needs for the NHS to 2022.